I don’t think anyone can truly explain how 2020 has gone by so fast and yet so slow at the same time, but here we are, approaching the holidays! It’s time to start scouring the internet and stores for presents to say, “Happy Holidays, I appreciate you, and I’m sorry this year was such a dumpster fire.”
Read on to find the best gifts to put a smile on your brother’s face, whether you want to treat him to something special or just become his favorite sibling.
Maybe your brother throws his dirty gym clothes into his backpack with his laptop. Maybe last time he came to visit, he stuffed all of his belongings into plastic Target bags. Whatever the case, this duffle is versatile enough for a long weekend trip or just getting to the gym after work (Err...from-home?). It comes in countless colors, so you’re sure to find something uniquely him.
So he might be a little less “on-the-go” and a little more “stay-at-home” but this 4 piece kit is perfect for any guy you know who might still be using whatever body lotion he has lying around to moisturize his whole face. This kit has a vitamin-infused cleanser to prep the skin for a smoother shave, a shaving cream that provides a refreshing cooling sensation, a moisturizer packed with caffeine for an extra shot of energy, and a body scrub soap.
Not much to say about the new PS5 that you probably don’t already know. The newest generation of Sony’s gaming console, the PlayStation 5, is said to be super fast with crisp visuals and heightened controller sensitivity. This is the perfect gift for the video game lover but this might be one of those gifts you can only cop with after the holidays.
This year has had a real “all sanitizing everything” vibe so why not end 2020 with this state-of-the-art water bottle? Equipped with a built-in UV-C LED purification system, it kills 99.999% of the bacteria in your water every 2 hours or whenever you press the button. It’s lightweight, comes in 4 neon and 3 earth-toned colors, and a bonus: It gets rid of any weird smells you might have experienced with other bottles.
When COVID first hit and men lost access to their barbers, everyone decided to embrace the beard and unruly hair. Fast forward some months and a few hundred Zoom calls later, learning how to do your own trims has become a necessity. Enter the Braun Hair Clippers, a handy 9-in-1 device that will have you looking like a new man. It’s also 100% waterproof for the guys who like to save time in the shower!
Self-care feels so complicated sometimes, and when it does, it’s best to go to a professional. Enter Garret Munce, the Grooming Editor over at Esquire and Men’s Health. He knows every question that might be asked, and he has all the answers. Share the self-care wealth.
An Air Fryer. It doesn’t matter what the question is, but odds are, my answer will always be, “Air Fryer.” There is nothing an air fryer can’t do. They can cook almost everything healthier than whatever way you’ve been doing it, they use less oil, so clean up is a breeze, and you will finally enjoy delicious crispy [insert any food here]. The CORSORI Smart Wifi model has 4.5 stars on over 30,000 ratings. As I said, the answer is always air fryer.
Is it even a gift guide if there’s no mention of Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II?! These classic headphones are a favorite for a reason: Sleek, super comfortable around your ears and head, and allows you to block out the world. If you’re planning on spending the holidays with your family, you might need these as well.
The number of scents that candles come in is ridiculous but in a good way. You no longer have to choose between having a house that smells like vanilla cupcakes or leather—brands like Jo Malone are known for their amazing unisex scents and you can’t beat their presentation and packaging. Try one of their new candles like Pine & Eucalyptus or Roasted Chestnut, or pick up one of their classics like Wood Sage & Sea Salt or Lime Basil & Mandarin.
No need to "weight" until January to see a new you (hold on, did you get that? BHAHA! Humor. (Remember that?)
So, while gyms are still closed or if he’s been meaning to start a workout regime at home, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells makes the perfect present for the fitness bro...who happens to also be your real-life bro... Adjustable from 5 to 52.5 lbs, these dumbbells have hand grips, easy to use selection dials for adjustments, and replaces 15 sets of weights.
Smoking weed, but make it classy.
Gift this artisanal ceramic bong which hints more ‘artsy and creative’ than ‘high school stoner” which is nice. At the end of the day, it’s just an expensive ass bong, but don’t you want to give a gift that you know will be used many, many times?
Who can remember the last time any of us wore pants that weren’t sweats? We spent a majority of 2020 inside our homes, and even if 2021 is the same, give your bro the sweatpants that say, “Hey, I’m trying.” These OV Sunday Sweatpants are comfy, fitted, and perfect for WFH on the couch or WFH in your bed.
The Beer of the Month club is the gift that keeps giving—monthly, every other month, or quarterly. Each shipment comes with carefully selected beers from independent, artisan craft brewers in different regions, along with a newsletter to give you the story behind the beer. Many of the beers included are award winners so you can rest easy knowing that your recipient is receiving a top-notch selection!
There’s nothing this handy toolkit can’t do—it has replaceable wire cutters, straight and serrated knives, spring-action scissors, needlenose and regular pliers, a bottle and can opener, and small and large bit drivers. It’s basically the only thing someone would ever need.
Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is something they’d never get themselves...although they really should. For the bro who seriously needs to get his life and his apartment, together, enter these delightful sheets. It’ll instantly give him some grown-up points and who knows, it might inspire him to even make his bed in the mornings.
Get ready to change someone’s life. Tile Mate is incredible— just pop it onto something you need to keep track of (keys, wallet, cell phone, your dog) and never lose it again. If your brother is anything like mine—super forgetful and loses EVERYTHING, this will make his life so much easier.
The $10 pair of shades your brother bought during Senior Week in Ocean City got the job done, but he’s older now and probably a little bit cooler. Enter sunglasses that are older and a little bit cooler, as well. Etnia Barcelona, a luxe eyewear company hailing from Spain, uses art, culture, and color to create these sustainable (whoo hoo!) glasses and packaging.
If you’re looking to provide a realistic sonar experience whether for movies, music, or gaming, look no further than the Sonos Arc Soundbar. It uses Enhanced Trueplay tuning technology to optimize the sound for the unique acoustics of whatever room you choose in an extremely sleek package. Alexa is built in so he doesn’t even have to leave the couch so it’s really two gifts in one.
There’s nothing wrong with boxer shorts and a t-shirt that you received from some walk-a-thon you may or may not have participated in, but having a nice sleepwear set really elevates a bedtime routine. As one reviewer said, this set takes you from “sloppy teenager” to “1950s dad”.
With all this time at home, one of the best gifts you can give anyone is the resources to learn a new skill. Whether it’s acting with Natalie Portman, writing with Shonda Rhimes, basketball with Stephen Curry or cooking with Gordon Ramsay, you can gift someone 90 instructions who are masters of their craft, all just one click away.
If you’re looking for a gift that will allow you to opt out of buying any other gift for your bro for LIFE, check out the Concepts x Canada Goose MacMillan Parka. Grey during the night but completely reflective at night, this unexpected design element makes this jacket everything you could ever want. Available Nov 20th
Nothing makes you wonder, “Do I have an upgrade available on my phone?” than Apple announcing their newest iPhone launch. The 12 Pro Max is said to have the most advanced pro camera system and the largest display ever available on an iPhone while the 12 Mini is the smallest, thinnest, lightest smartphone available.
With LED lighting and ability to provide a watching size from 32’ to 170’, the Vankyo Mini Projector is a cool way to set up shop in your living room and create your own movie night. Even better, it’s currently on sale for $30 off.
Known for their durability and endurance, Survivor cases can withstand anything, including 16 ft drops. They offer heavy-duty protection in a multitude of sleek colors making it the perfect gift for your brother who always drops his phone.
Maybe he doesn’t know what a wallet is for, which is why he carries all of his cards and crumpled up bills in his back pocket. This wallet will help remind him. With the fun “For Money” reminder on the front, and you constantly reminding him that you paid $270 for his gift, he’ll never forget to use a wallet again.
Time for your bro to ditch the cords and finally upgrade to some AirPods. They’re super convenient and with all the Black Friday deals coming up, you could snag these for the low.
Packing for trips is made less stressful with this Vetelli toiletry bag. Leather on the outside, with weather-resistant lining, this bag comes with two separate compartments to divide your items, two silicone bottles to carry any liquids, and a lifetime guarantee.
The newest collaboration between luxe streetwear brand Stampd and Ugg, the Tech Tasman offers clean, minimal design in cozy, durable materials. It also offers 3 distinct ways to wear: as a boot, as a low top shoe, or as a house slipper.
It’s fair to say that my life got significantly better after I purchased my Apple Watch. It’s perfect for workouts, it reminds me to meditate, and it allows me to leave the house without my phone. Besides the millions of cool apps that you can utilize, you can customize your watch with different styles of bands and colored cases. The new 6 even measures your blood oxygen levels and tracks your sleep.
Maybe he already owns the latest iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch (if so, maybe he should be getting you a gift)...but that’s a lot of different chargers to keep track of. Give him the gift of ease with this 3-in-1 charging stand that will get rid of the millions of cords and provide an easy way to never hit under 10% battery life again.
I’m sure your brother likes to grill the way I’m sure that all brothers everywhere like to grill. Actually, it’s hard for me to imagine someone not enjoying a cookout. Now you can make it easier with this 16-piece grill toolset, complete with all the accessories anyone may need for making delicious steaks, hamburgers, and hotdogs.
This gift definitely resonates with a certain kind of brother (possibly one who wears Greek letters) but most can enjoy this adorable mini beer pong set with its little catapults and shot sized beer glasses.
The newest iteration of Jordans come from Virgil Abloh, who has reimagined the classic sneakers with text graphics on the side panel, yellow and red accents, and the deconstructed details that we have come to love from Off-White. These will no doubtedly be hard to cop but imagine how grateful he’ll be if you do.
If your brother is a fan of collabs, treat him to a piece from Diamond Supply Co x Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarves capsule. These fun and whimsical t-shirts and hoodies are only a limited run so his item will be just as unique as he is.
